Things to Do in Caribbean

This waterfall site has not one but three separate streams to visit—from a 35-foot cascade right as you enter the falls area to two larger waterfalls that require a hike through the forest reserve. The first waterfall is accessible via a paved path with handrails and is worth making the visit to for the sight alone. The natural pools here make for a refreshing swim.

The forests are popular for hiking among large boulders, creeks and trees. The winding path leads through a nutmeg plantation, first visiting the second waterfall named “Au Coin” before finally reaching the farthest waterfall (“Fontainebleu”), which towers 65 feet over the ground below. It takes approximately an hour to reach the final waterfall, and while it is possible to swim in the clear, small pools underneath the falls, visitors are advised to watch the currents.

In a diverse city with streets that vary from colonial cobblestone to well-worn dirt paths, the bustling square of Columbus Park proves iconic, with an energy that unifies old world Santo Domingo with contemporary Dominican Republic.

Once known as Plaza Mayor, the square was renamed after its towering sculpture of Christopher Columbus in the late 1800s. The historic park is a popular gathering place for travelers looking to people watch and locals looking for a bit of relaxation come mid-afternoon. Columbus Park’s close proximity to landmarks like the Catedral de Santa Maria la Menor, the Municipal Palace and the old commercial district known as Calle del Conde, make it the perfect place to kick off a day in the city’s old Colonial Zone.

Daniel’s Head Park is situated on some of the most gorgeous coastline in Bermuda. Located on the southeastern coast of the island, Daniel’s Head Park covers 17 acres. Making up part of this land are two glorious beaches that are a big part of the draw of Daniel’s Head Park. The water framing the beaches is shallow in most parts, making it an ideal place for families to go swimming. Snorkelers will also love donning some goggles and seeing what lies underneath the surface of the sea. Thanks to clear, calm water, you can usually see the underwater sea life well.

Tropical fish isn’t all you can see in this area snorkeling; you can take a boat from the Daniel’s Head coast to the snorkeling hot spot of the shipwreck MVS Vixen, which still has part of its hull sticking out of the water making it very easy to snorkel around. Daniel’s Head Park has other water activities, too, including kayaking and stand up paddle boarding. There is also a restaurant, picnic tables and bathrooms located in Daniel’s Head Park.

From Grand Case Bay you can enjoy easy access to one of the best snorkeling destinations on the island. Creole Rock is a small rocky outcropping just offshore, at the north end of the bay, where you can slip into the 30-feet deep water to explore the reef and fish life that are protected here as part of a marine preserve. As you swim near the edge of the rock, you’ll be engulfed by schools of sergeant majors and yellow snapper, and it’s common to spot sea turtles grazing among the rocks. Creole Rock is also loaded with wildlife above the water because it’s a bird rookery where pelicans and brown boobies come to lay their eggs.

Located off the coast of Venezuela, Curacao is a tiny island nestled in crystal-blue waters. Once the center of Caribbean commerce, today Curacao still retains influences from its of French, Dutch, and Portuguese colonial past, as seen in its food, architecture, and culture. 

Curacao shore excursions often explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Willemstad. Join a half-day motorcoach tour to visit the Curacao Museum, Hato Caves, Queen Emma Bridge, Queen Juliana Bridge, Rif Fort, and Chobolobo (where the famous blue Curacao liqueur is made). Meanwhile, water sports–based shore excursions include jet ski rentals or boat tours that offer the chance to snorkel or dive in the coral reefs in the surrounding Caribbean Sea. Nature lovers will enjoy a sightseeing tour through Shete Boka National Park and the Curacao Ostrich Farm. 

Most cruise ships visiting Curacao dock in Willemstad, the island’s cosmopolitan capital city. The area is divided into two districts connected by a floating pedestrian bridge, and the tourist-friendly city is full of storefronts and cafes that are easily accessible on foot or by taxi from the cruise port.

Although the Netherlands Antillean Florin is the official currency of Curacao, most shops and cafes near port accept US dollars (USD). ATMs and money-exchange offices are easy to find, and English, Dutch, and Spanish are widely spoken on the island.

In the capital of Kingston, the 19th-century Devon House mansion is not only unique on the island, but also throughout the Caribbean, as it was the home of George Stiebel, Jamaica’s first black millionaire, offering a rare glimpse of West Indian high society. When you visit the Georgian-style home, you can explore rooms furnished with 19th-century Jamaican and Caribbean antiques, along with original features like the English chandelier bought by Stiebel that still hangs in the ballroom. Today, the house sits on 11 acres of gardens within the city, and the surrounding buildings, including the stables and the kitchen, have been repurposed into shops, art boutiques and cafés. Don’t forget to stop in the courtyard, where you can find a sweet treat at the original location of the now-popular island chain Devon House I Scream.

Coral World is considered one of the top family attractions in the US Virgin Islands. Much of this integrated marine park displays the true habitat of its subjects, with both indoor and outdoor observation facilities meant to exemplify the diverse and plentiful nature of the area’s marine life. The park’s major attractions include a touch pool with hermit crabs, starfish, and sea cucumbers; nearly two dozen aquarium exhibits; and its 50,000-gallon Deep Reef Tank, sporting some of mother nature’s deadliest carnivores, such as moray eels, tarpon, and plenty of sharks.

A general admission ticket to the park grants access to all five acres of the facility, including outdoor pools, aquariums, nature trails, and the Undersea Observatory Tower. Other interactive activities are available for additional costs, offering chances to cruise in a semi-submarine for views of the sea floor, snuba dive in the Caribbean Sea, or view endangered sea turtles alongside an expert instructor. While sea lion encounters are offered onsite for an additional fee, Viator does not offer this activity.

Making your way to the park is fairly easy provided you either rent a car while visiting St. Thomas or spend a bit extra on a cab. The ride from downtown typically takes 20 to 30 minutes and is easily navigable on the island’s major roads. It's also possible to take a short boat ride from Water Bay and Coki Point to dock right at the park.

Coral World is open year round, but the best time to visit is early in the morning right when the park opens, particularly on days when there are no cruise ships in port. The park hosts feedings and presentations throughout the day, so check the schedule ahead of your visit to ensure you don’t miss your favorites.

Travelers with extra time before or after a visit to the park can bring along a beach towel and spend some time on beautiful Coki Beach, located right next door. This white-sand beach is one of the best in the area for snorkeling thanks to the high concentration of tropical fish in the clear waters. It’s also possible to rent paddle boards and explore the nearby shoreline.

This expansive nutmeg garden is the home and source of a variety of nutmeg products made by the company De La Grenade. As Grenada is famous worldwide for its spice exports, particularly nutmeg, the gardens here give visitors the chance to experience the heart of the “Isle of Spice.”

Learn about the historical, traditional and medicinal uses of spices and other local plants. The highlight of the experience is an aromatic walk through the herb and spice gardens, which spans over two acres. Walk over nutmeg shells, enjoying the smell of local fruit trees, flowering plants and of course—the nutmeg spice.

In addition to seeing many of the natural plants and flavor sources, visitors can sample De La Grenade’s many beverage concentrates, syrups, jams and house La Grenade liqueur. The processing area grants behind-the-scenes insight into how these products are created and then shipped all over the world. There are also various homegrown fruits and spices—all native to the area—for tasting and purchase.

Stalactite chandeliers, delicate crystal soda straws, and mirrored underground pools are only some of the remarkable features of Bermuda’s evocatively named Crystal and Fantasy Caves. The best part about these fairytale-esque attractions is how very real they are as one of Bermuda’s top natural attractions.

Crystal Cave and Fantasy Cave are indeed separate and distinct caves, but their neighboring entrances (linked by a landscaped pathway) and equally amazing geology means that they are most often visited together. Join a tour guide—included with your admission ticket—and descend down a series of wooden walkways, staircases, and bridges to explore the underground wonderland. Floodlights highlight the caves’ most spectacular attractions, including a fossilized tree root, while your guide tells the story of their historic discovery and formation. Make the most of your time in the area by combining a tour of Crystal and Fantasy Caves with other nearby attractions such as the beach at Horseshoe Bay, a Hamilton city tour, or a visit to the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum, and Zoo.

The Crystal and Fantasy Caves are in Hamilton Parish, north of Harrington Sound in the lagoon-filled north of Bermuda. They are roughly equidistant between the cities of Hamilton and St. George’s, and only a 3-minute drive from Grotto Bay. While most guided tours provide round-trip transportation from Kings Wharf, if you have your own car, you’ll find parking in an on-site lot. You can also take bus number 1, 3, 10, or 11.

Crystal and Fantasy Caves are open daily (except holidays) from 9am to 5pm, with guided tours leaving every 20 minutes until 4:30pm. The area tends to be quiet in the morning, with crowds arriving in the afternoons.

Legend has it that two boys discovered Crystal Cave when they lost a ball during a cricket game in 1907—in searching for their ball, they crawled right into the cave entrance!

High above the sun-drenched beaches and bustling fray of Ocho Rios, the lush Konoko Falls and Park are filled with innumerable species of tropical flora and birds, and streams that tumble into gentle waterfalls. The excellent on-site museum traces the history and culture of Jamaica’s original inhabitants, the Tainos and Arawaks.

At this park, formerly called Coyaba River Garden and Museum, enjoy a brief respite from busy Ocho Rios as you walk quiet trails past streams, casades, and pools filled with carp, turtles, and crayfish. For a stupendous panoramic view, climb to the summit, which sits about 420 feet (128 meters) above the coastline. Festooned with tropical plants, gurgling fountains, and hummingbird feeders, the garden’s museum is housed in a colonial mansion and features an extensive collection of artifacts and artworks from the Tainos, Arawaks, and Spanish colonists.

You can visit Konoko Falls and Park as part of a half-day tour highlighting the best attractions of Ocho Rios, including a shopping excursion to the town’s eclectic markets and shopping arcades, a drive through the lush forests of Fern Gully, a relaxing moment at Turtle Beach, and a jungle hike and swim at nearby Dunns River Falls.

Konoko Falls and Park is on Milford Road, a 5-minute drive west of Ocho Rios. Catch a taxi to the park (easy to arrange through your hotel); if you are driving, there is plentiful parking. 

 

The garden and the museum are open daily from 8am to 5pm year-round. Each season showcases a different array of blooming plants and trees. On Thursdays from 5:30pm to 12am there is a Moonshine Festival comprising a Jamaican buffet accompanied by African drumming and dancing to reggae music. 

Konoko Falls and Park used to be called Coyaba River Garden and Museum, so if you ask a taxi driver to take you to Konoko, don’t be surprised if they are confused at first. Coyaba is a word the Arawak people used to convey heaven or paradise, and konoko meant rain forest or wooded area—either way, both words perfectly describe the place and the special experience awaiting you. 

From Arawak canoes to sugarcane milling, nautical relics and cannons, the open-air museum overlooking the harbor at Discovery Bay is littered with fascinating artifacts from Jamaica's past.

A fascinating dive into the beautiful underwater world of the Caribbean, the Curacao Sea Aquarium in Willemstad Curacao has much to discover. Set in an old naval vessel, just stepping into the Curacao Sea Aquarium lets you know that you’re embarking on a unique marine adventure.

Once aboard, visitors can take in the sight of sharks, turtles, stingrays, rockfish, flamingoes and other vibrant sea creatures that constitute the local waters and surrounding shores. Other highlights include the legendary seal and dolphin shows, while the opportunity to swim with dolphins is a family favorite. With all this, the Curacao Sea Aquarium is one of the top attractions in this little corner of the lesser Antilles.

Ensconced in cliffs towering high above the Rio Grande Arecibo, Cueva Ventana is where subterranean suddenly meets surreal. Though there was once a time when it was free to visit, the area today is privately administered to protect against damage and decay. The downside, of course, is the added cost, but the upside is the fact that the ticket price now includes a local guide. Here you’ll hear history of native Taino who left their marks on the cave, and be presented with flashlights for navigating the depths of the dark, guano-filled room.

Scrambling down rocks, tree roots and mud while weaving through dripping stalactites, the adventure is backed by a soundtrack of bats all squeaking in unison above. Thankfully the cave—since it’s open on both ends—doesn’t have much of a smell, and right when the enveloping darkness begins to feel a bit claustrophobic, light filters through the massive window to reveal a framed, panoramic view of the Arecibo Valley below.

If you’re looking for an idyllic beach escape while visiting St Maarten, consider chartering a boat and setting sail for nearby Anguilla, where Cove Bay is one of the only beaches without any resort development to mar the picturesque scenery. Some helpful amenities are available in Cove Bay though, including rental sun chairs and umbrellas. Visitors should bring snorkel gear to explore the shallow, rocky reef at the east end of the bay and also be sure to make a stop at Smokey’s at the Cove to sample some of the tastiest island barbecue around.

With six holes running right along the ocean and tee shots that shoot over cliffs, Corales Golf Course in Punta Cana is often considered amongst the Caribbean’s most exclusive and scenic courses. Designed by Tom Fazio, Corales Golf Course is famously known for its final trio of holes, which collectively are known as “the Devil’s Elbow” and require shooting up over the bluffs past waves that crash on the coast. Compared to the surrounding courses in the area, Corales is arguably the most scenic but also the most user friendly, which makes it accessible to a wider range of visiting golfers and travelers. Need to warm up before teeing off? A putting green and driving range are both available for use.

Deep in a sheltered gorge at the foot of the Pitons, the Diamond Botanical Gardens is part of the Soufriere Estate, one of the oldest and best-preserved estates on the island, still owned by the original family to whom the land was granted by King Louis XIV in 1713. The gardens sit at the edge of the Sulphur Springs Park, and the rich volcanic soil nourishes an incredible collection of tropical plants and flowers.

In addition to walking trails flanked by a lush mix of flora and fauna, the garden is home to a historic mill, a waterwheel and the Diamond Waterfall, one of the most colorful falls in the Caribbean with mineral-laced water that gives it a rainbow-like appearance. Proximity to the sulphur springs means these grounds also boast volcanically heated mineral baths that have been used as relaxing soaking tubs since King Louis XVI built his troops a bathhouse here in 1784.

Once the site of a military port that rescued downed aircrews, Cashboat Beach has since become a favorite ocean-side destination for travelers to northwest Puerto Rico. Clear turquoise waters and calm surf make it an ideal spot for families with small children, but visitors say the picturesque shores of Crashboat are perfect for just about any traveler.

It’s easy to spend a day relaxing on the sands of this quiet beach, with rocky cliffs perfect for jumping into refreshing waters. But visitors agree it’s worth staying until sunset, when the bright red sun tucks behind the deep blue ocean and local vendors come out to prepare traditional food over open fires. Crashboat attracts plenty of out-of-towners on holiday, but it’s the perfect beach for visitors looking to interact with locals and get a taste of contemporary Puerto Rican life, too. 

The bridge gained its name from the tragic events that took place there long ago. Supposedly, slaves would hurl themselves off the bridge into the rough waters below in an attempt to escape from their enslaved lives. It was soon said that the Devil must be present there.

Today the bridge is free from such tragedy, but is still a hauntingly beautiful place to visit. With the wild surrounding shrubbery and huge howling waves, there is an almost frighteningly rugged natural beauty to the bridge and its surrounding area.